An expert has issued a warning about the potential dangers associated with smoking cannabis, as individuals who have experienced its adverse effects are sharing their stories online.
This discussion follows President Donald Trump’s consideration to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. This change aims to facilitate scientific research into its potential applications in healthcare and treatments.
“Because a lot of people want to see it, the reclassification, because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify,” Trump stated, as reported by ABC.
“So we are looking at that very strongly.”
While the reclassification has not been finalized, it is expected to reduce regulations and criminal penalties, even though cannabis remains illegal at the federal level.
Nonetheless, this does not imply that using cannabis is risk-free.
In March of the previous year, Health Canada introduced mandatory warning messages for cannabis products, highlighting that it can increase the risk of severe paranoia, psychosis, and schizophrenia, particularly for individuals under the age of 25.
Cannabis vendors have until March 2026 to ensure their packaging displays these warning messages.
Is there a genuine risk of psychosis, and who is most at risk from cannabis use?
Dr. Daniel Myran, a researcher at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and a family physician, confirms this risk.
“I think that people remain unaware of this connection between cannabis use and potential risk of chronic psychotic disorders,” he explained to CBC, cautioning that males aged 14 to 24 who visit the ER for cannabis-induced psychosis have over a 40 percent chance of developing schizophrenia within three years.
Dr. Myran has conducted studies on the link between cannabis and psychosis, and in 2023, he contributed to research that reported a 220 percent increase in emergency room visits for cannabis-induced psychosis in Ontario from 2014 to 2021.
In February, Myran led a study revealing that 27.5 percent of individuals visiting the ER for cannabis-related issues developed an anxiety disorder within three years.
The reason may be that today’s cannabis has higher THC levels, engineered to produce stronger effects.
Historically, natural cannabis plants had THC levels of one to two percent, while genetically modified strains now contain 20 percent THC or more, according to CBC.
Additionally, individuals with genetic predispositions or preexisting mental health conditions may be more susceptible to psychological disorders.
This susceptibility can lead to a psychotic episode after regular use of high-THC cannabis, or even during their initial experience.
On Reddit, one user described how their first cannabis experience lasted 36 hours and resulted in ongoing anxiety and what they believe to be psychological damage.
Another person shared that they became psychotic and were later diagnosed at 19 with schizoaffective disorder after starting to use cannabis at 15.
A different user confirmed the connection, stating, “I am a schizophrenic and I can confirm that smoking weed will cause a psychotic break for the majority of us.”
If you need confidential advice about drugs, you can reach out to American Addiction Centers at (313) 209-9137, available 24/7, or visit their website.